Three-Phase Gas Reservoir Hydrogen Storage With Cushion Gas
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of efficiently storing hydrogen in geological formations like depleted gas reservoirs, particularly in the presence of a third hydrocarbon phase, is not adequately addressed by existing methods, which often lead to environmental leakage and limited storage capacity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the injection of a gas-phase mixture containing hydrogen, a first liquid-phase mixture, and a solid matrix into a subsurface formation, enhancing wettability and reducing surface tension to facilitate hydrogen storage, followed by heating and pressurizing the formation to maintain storage conditions, and using hydrogen-selective membranes for purification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored in geological formations with a third hydrocarbon phase present, then storage capacity increases, but environmental leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cushion gas (nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or methane) as an intermediary substance between the hydrogen and the third hydrocarbon phase. This cushion gas forms a barrier layer that prevents direct contact and interaction between hydrogen and the third phase, thereby preventing environmental leakage while maintaining high storage capacity in the presence of the third hydrocarbon phase
2Productivity
If surface tension of the gas-phase mixture is reduced, then hydrogen storage efficiency improves, but wettability control becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the surface tension parameter of the gas-phase mixture by introducing a surfactant or wetting agent. This chemical additive changes the surface tension to an optimal level that enhances hydrogen storage efficiency while simultaneously providing sufficient wettability control to prevent unwanted migration and maintain stable storage conditions
3Quantity of substance
If wettability of the solid matrix is increased, then hydrogen storage capacity improves, but gas-phase mixture stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the wettability parameter of the solid matrix by controlling the contact angle between the gas-phase mixture and the matrix surface. By adjusting this parameter to an optimal range, the system achieves high hydrogen storage capacity while maintaining gas-phase mixture stability through balanced wetting characteristics that prevent premature phase separation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances hydrogen storage capacity and reduces environmental leakage by optimizing wettability and surface tension in a three-phase system, allowing efficient hydrogen storage and withdrawal.
Implementation Method 1
injecting the fluid stream increases the wettability of the solid matrix by contacting with the gas-phase mixture and the first liquid-phase mixture
Implementation Method 2
injecting the fluid stream increases the wettability of the solid matrix by contacting with the gas-phase mixture and the first liquid-phase mixture and reduces the surface tension of the gas-phase mixture
Implementation Method 3
introducing the second gas mixture into a hydrogen purification device including a plurality of hydrogen-selective membranes
Data Source
AI summary
A method of hydrogen (H2) storage and withdrawal is described. The method includes injecting a fluid stream into a subsurface formation via an injection well to form a composition containing a gas-phase mixture, a first liquid-phase mixture, and a solid matrix, injecting a H2-containing gas stream into the subsurface formation via the injection well to form a first gas mixture containing H2 gas, heating and pressurizing the subsurface formation containing the first gas mixture via at least one heat well to achieve a storage condition and maintaining the storage condition to store the H2 in the subsurface formation, injecting a CH4-containing gas stream into the subsurface formation via the at least one injection well to form a second gas mixture, withdrawing the second gas mixture via at least one production well, and introducing the second gas mixture into a hydrogen purification device including hydrogen-selective membranes.